With gratitude for the life we shared, With sorrow for the future we shan't, We come together to celebrate thee Mary Alice, my love, my life, my person. We invite you to think about what you would say to Mary Alice if she were here and leave it as a comment below (or email it to thoughts@madmemories.com if you would prefer). These messages will be used as part of her celebration of life.
MAD,
Too soon, far too soon!
Save me a seat, I hope to banter with you again someday.
-Greg
As I sit in my classroom, our shared classroom for your year as a student teacher at SEQ, preparing for Back 2 School Night, with your #19 jersey hanging on the back wall, I think about the conversation you would have had with the parents you would meet if you were here. I am reminded of how you handled your first B2SN. While I tried to demonstrate a learning activity or to cram in a bunch of logistical information into the 10 minutes we have with the parents, you sat down, made eye contact, and calmly demonstrated to the parents the thoughtfulness you would bring to your classes each day, the compassion for each student's unique situation and learning style, and the dedication you would make to helping each student progress in their learning journey. And then, the next day and every school day after that, you followed through with that commitment. I was so impressed, and I have been inspired to be that authentic, compassionate, and dedicated to helping every student who sits in my class.
As my student teacher, you taught me so much more than I taught you.
As my colleague, you led the charge to move away from memorization of material and designed so many activities that would help our students to think, and demonstrate that thinking – to make connections, use reasoning to draw conclusions, to use evidence to back up their ideas. You added so much to our course, and even more to our teacher team.
Your physical absence last year was remarkable. But the impact you had on the students and educators you interacted with was, and is, profound. You will always be in my heart, and on my mind as I strive to honor your dedication to helping our kiddos learn to think, to notice, and to wonder.
Missing you,
Greg
Too soon, far too soon!
Save me a seat, I hope to banter with you again someday.
-Greg
As I sit in my classroom, our shared classroom for your year as a student teacher at SEQ, preparing for Back 2 School Night, with your #19 jersey hanging on the back wall, I think about the conversation you would have had with the parents you would meet if you were here. I am reminded of how you handled your first B2SN. While I tried to demonstrate a learning activity or to cram in a bunch of logistical information into the 10 minutes we have with the parents, you sat down, made eye contact, and calmly demonstrated to the parents the thoughtfulness you would bring to your classes each day, the compassion for each student's unique situation and learning style, and the dedication you would make to helping each student progress in their learning journey. And then, the next day and every school day after that, you followed through with that commitment. I was so impressed, and I have been inspired to be that authentic, compassionate, and dedicated to helping every student who sits in my class.
As my student teacher, you taught me so much more than I taught you.
As my colleague, you led the charge to move away from memorization of material and designed so many activities that would help our students to think, and demonstrate that thinking – to make connections, use reasoning to draw conclusions, to use evidence to back up their ideas. You added so much to our course, and even more to our teacher team.
Your physical absence last year was remarkable. But the impact you had on the students and educators you interacted with was, and is, profound. You will always be in my heart, and on my mind as I strive to honor your dedication to helping our kiddos learn to think, to notice, and to wonder.
Missing you,
Greg